Stopping the Clock: Shinners Captures Images of Passing Time

Photographer Michelle Shinners draws inspiration from her four-year-old daughter, who recently celebrated a birthday.

As she watched her child grow older, her sense of photography developed. Although Shinners has shot photos for 25 years, but she said she's taken her craft more seriously in the last five years.

Her work, which includes photos of her daughter, is being exhibited at the Orland Park Public Library throughout June on the second floor.

Shinners recently sat down with Patch to discuss what the passing of time has meant to her and the personal challenge she took to enhance her work.

What is your earliest memory of photography?

A kid using the film my parents bought me. I liked using Polaroids to see the pictures develop before your eyes.

Is there a photo you wish you would have taken?

There are hundreds. I've asked strangers to take their pictures--they usually agree or politely decline. When I'm nervous, I let the moment pass. There is a picture of a house in the gallery at the library…it's a house that we passed several times through the years. That house is no longer there. It taught me to take the opportunities before you miss them.

How do you think "young you" would respond to the pictures you take now?

I'm not sure. It's interesting to see the pictures I took when I was young. The pictures I take now would be glimpses into my future.

Time appears to be a running theme in your work. Since you've made it the theme, what meaning has it taken on for you?

With my daughter getting older, I'm more aware of the passing of time. I'm attracted to objects that we don't usually use anymore.

You have pledged to take daily pictures for two years. How far along are you with that, and what made you decide to do it?

I didn't do it consecutively. I did it for a year, then took a year off. I now have 30 days to go. I do it online with a group of people. It is a really good way to document a year. It's also improved my photography. It forces you to be inspired on days when you don't feel like it. I took pictures that would have never gotten to take. I have a shaky memory, so this lets me look and see specific moments.

Describe your work in 1-3 sentences.

I use color a lot and use things that are pretty common, that people encounter, as subjects. I want to move away from objects and towards more pictures of people.